Flake, S. G. (1998). The skin I’m in. New York: Hyperion.
“ It’s not about color,” she said. “It’s how you feel about who you are that counts.” (Flake, 1998, p. 40).
Maleeka Madison is bullied almost everyday in middle school because of the dark color of her skin. Feeling she has no way out of this situation, she begs Charlese, the most popular girl in the seventh grade, to protect her from the constant verbal abuse she receives. Charlese agrees to protect Maleeka, but only if Maleeka does her homework for her every night and participates in the types of activities Charlese and her friends like to engage in. Soon, Maleeka finds she is in over her head. Physical altercations, skipping class, smoking, and destruction of property are now the norm. However, Miss Saunders, the new English teacher with severe facial discoloration, refuses to sit back and watch Maleeka destroy her life. Can she help Maleeka learn to love the skin she is in before it is too late?
The Skin I’m In primarily depicts individuals that identify as African American, Asian American, and Caucasian. Additionally, the book portrays a wide range of ages (adolescents to elderly) and socioeconomic statuses (low to high).
Reading The Skin I’m In really helped me to understand that I must create a learning environment where all students feel safe and accepted. Maleeka hates to come to school because John-John and the other boys in her class made up a song about how dark the color of her skin is. Like Maleeka, some of my students may fear coming to school because of the verbal abuse they receive due to a lack of racial and cultural awareness and respect. Therefore, I must let my students know on the first day that no bullying will be tolerated. Furthermore, I feel bullying of this nature can be reduced by learning about our differences. Hopefully, by reducing prejudice and fear and increasing understanding and acceptance, I can help create a classroom where everyone feels safe. Next, Maleeka was peer pressured to engage in a lot of activities she was not comfortable with. Undoubtedly, many of my students will also face similar circumstances. Therefore, teaching my students about peer pressure and how to minimize it will be important. Finally, Maleeka loves to write, but has a hard time sharing her amazing words with others. Therefore, I must work hard to create a community of learners where everyone feels comfortable to share and celebrate their ideas and talents.
After reading this book, I feel I am more aware of the importance of my role as an educator outside of the curriculum. I also have more respect for teachers like Miss Saunders, who go above and beyond their job description to make sure they are reaching their students in a way that is meaningful and life changing.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is 12 years old or older. Additionally, I would consider using this book in my classroom if I taught in the 6th grade or higher. This is a great book for people who feel like they do not fit in, who have had to deal with peer pressure, and who have been lucky enough to have had a teacher who believed in them no matter what.
Flake, S. G. (1998). The skin I’m in. New York: Hyperion.
“ It’s not about color,” she said. “It’s how you feel about who you are that counts.” (Flake, 1998, p. 40).
Maleeka Madison is bullied almost everyday in middle school because of the dark color of her skin. Feeling she has no way out of this situation, she begs Charlese, the most popular girl in the seventh grade, to protect her from the constant verbal abuse she receives. Charlese agrees to protect Maleeka, but only if Maleeka does her homework for her every night and participates in the types of activities Charlese and her friends like to engage in. Soon, Maleeka finds she is in over her head. Physical altercations, skipping class, smoking, and destruction of property are now the norm. However, Miss Saunders, the new English teacher with severe facial discoloration, refuses to sit back and watch Maleeka destroy her life. Can she help Maleeka learn to love the skin she is in before it is too late?
The Skin I’m In primarily depicts individuals that identify as African American, Asian American, and Caucasian. Additionally, the book portrays a wide range of ages (adolescents to elderly) and socioeconomic statuses (low to high).
Reading The Skin I’m In really helped me to understand that I must create a learning environment where all students feel safe and accepted. Maleeka hates to come to school because John-John and the other boys in her class made up a song about how dark the color of her skin is. Like Maleeka, some of my students may fear coming to school because of the verbal abuse they receive due to a lack of racial and cultural awareness and respect. Therefore, I must let my students know on the first day that no bullying will be tolerated. Furthermore, I feel bullying of this nature can be reduced by learning about our differences. Hopefully, by reducing prejudice and fear and increasing understanding and acceptance, I can help create a classroom where everyone feels safe. Next, Maleeka was peer pressured to engage in a lot of activities she was not comfortable with. Undoubtedly, many of my students will also face similar circumstances. Therefore, teaching my students about peer pressure and how to minimize it will be important. Finally, Maleeka loves to write, but has a hard time sharing her amazing words with others. Therefore, I must work hard to create a community of learners where everyone feels comfortable to share and celebrate their ideas and talents.
After reading this book, I feel I am more aware of the importance of my role as an educator outside of the curriculum. I also have more respect for teachers like Miss Saunders, who go above and beyond their job description to make sure they are reaching their students in a way that is meaningful and life changing.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is 12 years old or older. Additionally, I would consider using this book in my classroom if I taught in the 6th grade or higher. This is a great book for people who feel like they do not fit in, who have had to deal with peer pressure, and who have been lucky enough to have had a teacher who believed in them no matter what.
To learn more about the Coretta Scott King Award and to see a list of past winners, go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/cskbookawards/johnsteptoe.cfm